MS University to host a ‘simple’ convocation tomorrow, V-P Dhankhar to skip event

Days after MS University in Vadodara announced that the much-delayed 73rd convocation would be held on December 29, with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar as the chief guest, the University on Friday said that the convocation would take place “in a simple manner”, owing to the seven-day mourning announced by the Centre for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday.

In a statement late on Friday evening, Officer on Special Duty for Public Relations, Professor Hitesh Raviya said, “In consideration of the present circumstances and in the overall interest of the students, the 73rd Annual Convocation of the University will proceed as scheduled, at 10.30am on December 29. The event will take place in a simple manner in the presence of the Honourable Chancellor Madam and the Vice Chancellor of The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.”

The University had faced protests from student unions over the delay in announcement of the convocation dates as the management was awaiting a confirmation from the office of the V-P for the occasion.

On December 23, MSU Registrar Krishnakumar Chudasma announced the date of the convocation as December 29, stating that it was a “matter of pride” that the Vice President would grace the occasion, as the University “aimed to get guests of big stature” as chief guests for the convocation ceremonies to “inspire” the students.

On Friday, preparations were in full swing at MSU for the convocation ceremony, which will see 13,500 people being awarded with degrees.
About 9,000 students have confirmed their physical presence at the event.

The university will also confer 325 gold medals on 195 students.